Valmont(1989)- User Reviews

"Valmont" is indeed the most lavish and youthful version of Ninon Laclos' book. It is also the most underrated and trashed of them all. I love the movie, its scenery, the music, the settings, the costumes. Everything. It's very much to the spirit of the book, unlike its rival, which, frankly, is far more tailored to American audiences than the this movie. I watched "Dangerous Liaisons" and I'm turned off by its sterility and the mean-spitedness of its characters. Milos' movie, by contrast, offers a more youthful and well-rounded characters with range of emotions as well as beautiful, dynamic settings. The movie begans with Cecile's release from the convent to her debut at home, where Merteuil finds out that her ex-lover is marrying her cousin. As a woman scorned, she enlists Valmont in carrying out her revenge. She wants him to spoil Cecile's virtue before marriage. Valmont refuses. He's currently pursuing the saintly Mme. de Tourvel, played by "Agnes of God" actress Meg Tilly. Mme. de Tourvel refuse to give in to Valmont's persuasion because of his immoral reputation. So Merteuil makes a deal with Valmont that if he spoils Cecile and Tourvel, he can spend one night with her as a reward well done. However, she changes her mind and Valmont is enraged. He enlists Cecile's boyfriend/musician, the Chevalier de Danceny to do battle against Merteuil. The scheme backfires on Valmont, for Merteuil told Danceny about Valmont's seduction of Cecile at his aunts estate. He arranges a duel in which Valmont was killed. The movie concluded with a lavish wedding and the laying of a single rose on top of his tomb.